02
May '23
Let Me Be Frank… sneak into the sanctuary
02
May '23
We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
Hebrews 12:2 (NLT)
“People need to be reminded more than they need to be instructed.”
Samuel Johnson
I missed Easter when I was in Albuquerque… not missed as in “longing for” missed as in “didn’t go.” Straight out of college and going nowhere fast… Now, I could tell you the resurrection story and I knew the hymns we would sing by memory, but my heart wasn’t in it. God was going to have to fix me before I went back.
“You met me at my lowest moment. You saw me at my very worst. When I expected disappointment Love was all I heard.”
It’s harder than you think to sneak into a sanctuary on Easter. It doesn’t matter how quiet you are, someone is going to turn around. And others are sure to follow.
“My sin was deep, Your grace was deeper. My shame was wide, Your arms were wider. My guilt was great, Your love was greater still.”
Even knowing the end did not stop Jesus from feeling the heaviness of the moment as He knelt to pray. In His humanity He spoke, “Take this cup from me.” In His divinity He resolves, “I want Your will to be done, not Mine.” Jesus bows low as He takes the weight of the world on His shoulders in the garden of Gethsemane.
Jesus is intimately aware of our shortcomings, and He loves us anyway. Jesus knew the garden of Gethsemane would lead to the cross of Calvary, and He died for us anyway. People need to be reminded more than they need to be instructed. Jesus didn’t want me to clean up before I approached Him… He just wanted me. I braced for what was coming and Love met me.
“My sin was deep, Your grace was deeper. My shame was wide, Your arms were wider. My guilt was great, Your love was greater still.”
Jesus loves you. He is pursuing your heart. He died for your sins.
He suffered in your place. He reigns on high. He is coming back again.
And He is very fond of you.
He suffered in your place. He reigns on high. He is coming back again.
And He is very fond of you.
You never know who’s going to sneak into the back of a sanctuary on Easter weekend. Treat that person with mercy and grace. Bring them to the foot of the cross. His love is greater still.
May hope abound in our hearts today.
Soli Deo Gloria!
F –